UBA Business Series has highlighted ‘Gen.W: The Evolved Woman’ and celebrated female leadership and entrepreneurship.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the United Bank for Africa Plc has hosted a new edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together leading female entrepreneurs and professionals to explore the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”
The hybrid event, held at the UBA House in Marina, Lagos, and streamed globally, formed part of activities marking International Women’s Month.
The session focused on the changing role of women in leadership, business, and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while driving sustainable impact across industries.
ALSO: AGRA Opens Applications for 2026 WAYA Awards to Honour Women Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems
Speaking during the opening session, UBA’s Group Head of Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, described the “evolved woman” as one who actively takes charge and ensures her voice is heard.
According to her, the modern woman is stepping forward to lead initiatives, challenge norms, and contribute meaningfully to society.
The event was moderated by media personality and actor Tobi Bakre, who noted that the concept of the evolved woman goes beyond a checklist of achievements.
“In my opinion, the evolved woman is grounded in her self-worth and allows other women to be grounded in theirs, choosing herself daily and helping others believe that they belong as well,” he said.
Panel discussions featured prominent entrepreneurs and media personalities including Joycee Awosika, Tomike Adeoye, Olufunke Davies, and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
Sharing her perspective, Awosika said the evolved woman understands her identity and does not wait for recognition.
“That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table; she is creating her own table and adding value. As your company grows, you must grow too and constantly evaluate how to become a better leader,” she said.
Adeoye noted that the narrative around women proving their worth is rapidly changing.
“The evolved woman is now bringing her own table. She is more vocal about her struggles and determined not to give up on her dreams,” she said.
Mairo-Ese emphasised the importance of women telling their own stories and showcasing their achievements, urging women to embrace collaboration and develop unique offerings within their fields.
Davies, who spoke about her entrepreneurial journey, highlighted persistence and research as key to growth, noting that women should start from wherever they are and grow progressively.
Also speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, encouraged women to support one another and create opportunities for growth within their communities.
She also introduced Gen W, a lifestyle platform developed by UBA to support women building careers, businesses, and leadership influence across industries.
According to Ladipo, the platform provides expert insights, practical resources, networking opportunities, and access to discounted products and loans, while remaining open to all women regardless of whether they hold a UBA account.
UBA said initiatives like the Business Series are part of its ongoing commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs by providing platforms for mentorship, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership across Africa and beyond.
